What Makes
     Us Unique

[above] Volunteer big brother Bobby Freeman ('02) takes Demetrius (left) and Rodriguez Shorter to historic Toomer's Drugstore for lemonade.

Outreach

     At CHS@AU, outreach is a primary part of our mission. Outreach programs are based on research and scholarship and are developed to positively influence the lives of people in Alabama and the far-reaching regions of the nation and the world. Comprehensive scientific and humanistic approaches are combined to provide information and skills that empower individuals and families to help themselves in their efforts to achieve a more fulfilling life.

     Hand-in-hand with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, University Outreach, and other state and federal partners, our faculty create and participate in a vast array of programs designed to enrich instructional opportunities for students and improve the quality of life for people in our local and world communities. Whether face-to-face, by video programming, or via satellite transmission, faculty deliver relevant and timely programs to state, national, and international audiences.

Some of our current outreach efforts include:

• Ensuring the safety of food products for industry in our diagnostic and testing laboratories, conducting seminars on trends and techniques in determining food safety for the Alabama Department of Public Health and other groups, and disseminating materials on food regulations and safety requirements.

• Supporting textile/apparel/retail industry competitiveness by promoting domestic production of goods through an electronic sourcing database developed at Auburn University. Other support activities include technical training for industry and promoting Alabama companies at trade show exhibits.

• Creating educational models to meet citizens’ needs, such as the Birmingham Early Learning Center (BELC). Recognized by NBC Nightly News as "one of the finest in the country," BELC continues to gain national acclaim and draw visitors from around the world to learn about university/government/business partnerships in providing quality child care.